Why I Chose the Red, White and Blue

Americans Who Doubt the Value of Being a U.S. Citizen Should Know How Impressive It Still Feels to Become One

By

Philip Delves Broughton

Jan. 2, 2014 11:42 a.m. ET

Growing up British, I thought that I knew everything about national self-loathing. We were reared in the shadows of long-gone might, taught that we were mere dormice scuffling in the footsteps of imperial giants. To dull the pain, we administered heavy doses of sarcasm, self-effacement and "Upstairs, Downstairs."

But then I moved to the U.S., and over my decade here, I have realized that when it comes to the rhetoric of self-flagellation, as in so much else, we Europeans are small time. The U.S. government, we hear, is no longer checked and balanced but broken. Banks and insurance companies are plundering the nation's treasure. Bridges are crumbling, children aren't being educated, and that thudding sound is 1.3 billion Chinese sitting down to eat America's lunch. For all this country's glories, its morale in recent years has felt low.

ENLARGE

U.S.A.! Fiso Kilifi of Samoa during a ceremony to become a U.S. citizen, June 2013, Anchorage, Alaska.
Associated Press

So a couple of months ago I did my bit to buck the gloom: I became a U.S. citizen.

I had been told that the 2013 model of U.S. citizenship was the lemon on the international lot. The Internal Revenue Service would have its claws into me for life. The jihadists would mark me as a demon of the Great Satan. Canada and Australia were more welcoming. Europe has a stronger social safety net. Asia has more economic opportunities. What was I thinking?

For one thing, after I watched the Tom Hanks film "Captain Phillips" with my 10-year-old son, he made an excellent point: If ever I were kidnapped by Somali pirates, I would wish I were a U.S. citizen so that Navy SEALs could come to my rescue.

But it also felt like time. For the past decade, I have lived happily in the U.S. while retaining my British citizenship. My wife is a natural-born U.S. citizen, as are my two sons. I have paid taxes but lacked the right to vote. This didn't bother me at first, but it has chafed more as my financial and emotional investment in the U.S. has grown.

I could simply have renewed my green card. But it no longer seemed enough, either in terms of rights or responsibilities. I was receiving the privilege of living here on the cheap.

Forty-three years ago, my mother's parents came to the U.S. from Burma. Leaving behind all they owned and a daughter who would marry an Englishman, they started afresh in Virginia. My own naturalization lacked such drama: just a $600 filing fee, a set of forms, a fingerprint scan, an interview to test my English, a civics quiz and an oath.

On a Friday in November, I drove to the Richard C. Lee Courthouse in New Haven, the Areopagus of central Connecticut. My wife took the day off work, and our sons left school to watch me swear allegiance (with the promise of Shake Shack burgers to celebrate afterward).

The courtroom was grand but shabby in that government way, with marble and oak panels illuminated by dusty lights. We huddled masses, 30 strong, were young and old, from Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe, each here for our own reasons. Conducting our ceremony was an 89-year-old federal judge, Ellen Bree Burns, and an official from the Department of Homeland Security wearing a Stars and Stripes necktie.

Most times, said Judge Burns, when people leave her courtroom, half are happy, half unhappy. But making new citizens was a moment of unadulterated joy. She urged us to vote and to preserve whatever culture and heritage we had brought with us. And she thanked us for letting her be the judge who swore us in.

We received our certificates of naturalization and a yellow envelope marked "The White House." In it was a "Dear Fellow American" letter from President Obama. "Since our founding, generations of immigrants have come to this country full of hope for a brighter future, and they have made sacrifices in order to pass that legacy on to their children and grandchildren," he wrote. "This is the price and the promise of citizenship. You are now part of this precious history, and you serve as an inspiration to those who will come after you."

The U.S. does this language so well. It is an antidote to cynicism. It revealed to me what a frail and incomplete thing it had been to live here as an observer rather than a full participant in civic life. I wish that those Americans who trash their country for its failings or doubt the value of their citizenship could give it up and reapply for it, just to see with fresh eyes what an astonishing gift it still is.

—Mr. Broughton is the author, most recently, of "The Art of the Sale: Learning From the Masters About the Business of Life."

You made a big mistake becoming a US citizen. First of all, you'll likely never be taken by Somali pirates and if you are you'll likely end up like the US Libyan ambassador (murdered) Secondly, no matter where you live in the world you will be taxed by the US Government. A US citizenship is no longer a valuable possession.

Well, that rhetoric is the Democrats theme toward election victory and the carping of the extreme conservatives. I'd estimate only about 30% think the USA is great and better than ever - I am one of them. We certainly can improve.

But beyond the rhetoric, the real proof that the USA is a paradise compared to the rest of the world is immigration. What 1200 leave a year? And it's usually for tax reasons. So many could make millions more by leaving, but won't. And immigrants know this is a worker's dream. It's the spoiled native born poor and middle-income that gripe - because they won't see all they get for free (military, police, fire, medical care, etf.). So many are serial criminals despite all they've gotten for free - angry that hard working Americans like doctors and lawyers live better than them when they've contributed nothing or next to nothing.

When I worked as a Precinct Judge for Elections in San Mateo County, California, I would observe people of all ages, ethnicities and cultures who were to cast their vote in a Representative Democracy for their first time. Some were old with long beards, turbans and other were young Mom's with their kids in tow. Many times, they had a smile and a tear in their eye as I would hand them their Ballot and say, "Thank You for performing your Civic duty for OUR Country."

The author writes "she [ Judge Burns ] urged us to vote and to preserve whatever culture and heritage we had brought with us."

Not good enough. I offer this to all new citizens.

That oath you just made, honor it. That part about "bearing arms", "noncombat service" and "work of national importance" means your neighbors expect you to help defend this country.

You have passed a simple test of citizenship proficiency but you have a lot more to learn about the laws and mores of your new country. Number one, you have the right to vote. Use it wisely.

Read the US constitution. This document and the precepts that underly it are the reason, whether you know it or not, you are here today. The constitution is the framework for everything great about your new country. Read it, know it and hold your elected officials accountable to obey it. And if they don't then throw the rascals out.

America is still the best place to live in the world , but our freedom is rapidly eroding. Our Government now monitors all emails and text messages without a court order. This erosion of freedom began with 911 and continues under our current Administration.

Americans often forget that no matter how screwed up we are, we are better than the rest of the world. Do you understand what an idiot Edward Snowden must be to leave the US for Russia? Our system is built on two things - Democracy and Capitalism (despite what Obama is trying to do, we still have a reasonable degree of both). And the famous quotes about those two systems still apply - they are the worst systems, except all the rest.

The "right to vote." Kidding, right? Due to the electoral college, the votes of most Americans are irrelevant to the outcome of the election of the President.

Voter fraud is extemely easy in this country. The elections are rigged or bought by special interests. One political party routinely appeals to racism in every election. And, it is shipping in milliions of poor refugess to swell their ranks of voters. Your American citizenship obligates you to support all these poor refugees even as they displace you from jobs and neighborhoods.

What a farce.

I am 67. This country has been reduced to 3rd world status in my life time. Recent arrivals have no idea.

"We received our certificates of naturalization and a yellow envelope marked "The White House." In it was a "Dear Fellow American" letter from President Obama. "Since our founding, generations of immigrants have come to this country full of hope for a brighter future, and they have made sacrifices in order to pass that legacy on to their children and grandchildren," he wrote. "This is the price and the promise of citizenship. You are now part of this precious history, and you serve as an inspiration to those who will come after you."

The U.S. does this language so well. It is an antidote to cynicism. It revealed to me what a frail and incomplete thing it had been to live here as an observer rather than a full participant in civic life. I wish that those Americans who trash their country for its failings or doubt the value of their citizenship could give it up and reapply for it, just to see with fresh eyes what an astonishing gift it still is."

With all due respect, Mr. Broughton, native-born, generational American citizens -- those whose parents and grandparents and great-grandparents (and their parents) (at least) understand the whole "shining eyes thing." WE built this country, and WE understand what makes this beautiful country so unbelievably great.

Newcomers to this country (congratulations, by the way) should realize that there is MUCH MORE to this country than mere "words" from a sitting president who is bound and determined to transform our country into something "else."

Kindly spare American citizens (and their many predecessors) the well-intentioned lecture. WE grew up in a FREE country, and thousands upon thousands of OUR children have died to keep it FREE. And WE are APPALLED at what is going on right now.

Perhaps YOU as a new citizen can share your pride in this country with our current "president." His actions show that he takes no such pride in our beautiful country, our history, or our values.

"I wish that those Americans who trash their country for its failings or doubt the value of their citizenship could give it up and reapply for it, just to see with fresh eyes what an astonishing gift it still is."

Congratulations sir, however we the people know what we have and we don't need ex-green card holders like you sir telling us otherwise. Why do you think so many of us are fighting to keep our constitution, our republic and our rights in tact? Take your pontificating and stuff it. We get it. The judge (no doubt a flaming liberal) says "She urged us to vote and to preserve whatever culture and heritage we had brought with us." She should be telling them to assimilate! TAKE NOTE: We already HAVE an AMERICAN culture, a language we love and we don't want yours! People come here and become citizens and then fight to have the way of life they left brought down on the rest of us! Keep it but keep it in your own house. If you run across someone who does not speak fluent English, they don't belong here, period. This country no longer "needs" immigrants like it has in the past and we already have laws, guidelines, culture and an AMERICAN way; again assimilate or get out.

All citizens of Britain should be eligible for U.S. citizenship for the asking. Britain's a fine country, but too small for many people to live in. So let the Brits who want to emigrate here come as they please. They'd have to learn to speak "American" of course and learn our version of history, which is that their King was an old so-and-so who was unfit to govern a free people.

On second thought, judging by the anti-Obama rhetoric on these pages, it does seem like a fair number of Americans think we made a mistake in ditching the King and opting for an elected President to run things on our side of the pond. Maybe we could let the King back in here if people get tired of listening to Obama.

We welcome Mr. Broughton to citizenship and enjoy his nicely written article.

Then we brood that the "astonishing gift" of citizenship of which he speaks is currently bestowed each year on 350-400,000 of those born to illegal alien mothers. The birth may have even happened in an Arizona ER an hour after the illegal alien woman had crossed the Rio Grande. The new "citizen" is immediately entitled to all forms of welfare and medical care, and at age 21 may sponsor his/her mother for permanent residence.

75% of our illegal immigrants are from Mexico and Central America, on average lightly educated without special skills, taking mostly low wage jobs, often by presentation to their employers of forged work authorization documents. Should they be amnestied, many of the households they head will become welfare and Medicaid dependent. As they age into Social security and Medicare, they will extract far more from these programs than they will pay in taxes during their working years. Deportation of an illegal immigrant with a "citizen' child is uncommon, unless his/her crime was one of violence, or drug-related.

The U.S. Supreme Court has never directly ruled on the question of birthright citizenship for those born to illegal aliens. Many bills have been introduced in Congress to restrict this custom, for example that of Senator Harry Reid in 1993. His bill would have denied citizenship unless the mother was a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. Children of illegal aliens were considered born to the jurisdiction of the mother's homeland, not subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and not citizens solely by reason of physical presence within the United states at the moment of birth.

A serious discussion of birthright citizenship must be part of any comprehensive immigration reform.

How come one Brit goes thru the necessary channels to become a citizen , and the nut in the white house wants to exonerate many illegals without due process, why is it many blacks in power say to hhhhell with our laws I'll do it anyway, which is my way, this is being done all over the USA many of them going to JAIL !!!!

I don't want to sound cynical, but over 80% of immigrants who become citizens of this country these days are Asians, Africans, Central and South Americans. We've stopped getting the cream of the cream - European immigrants who can contribute the most from a technological and scientific perspective.

The advancement that America has experienced is primarily a result of the work of earlier European immigrants. Without them, this country would've been a third world nightmare. Realizing this trend now, Canada and Australia are doing a bang-on job enticing Europeans to their shores, while slowing down immigration from Asia and Africa, while we are getting mainly refugees and unproductive immigrants.

This country is built on the Constitution pal. I suggest you read it. While you read it take note of the bill of rights. The part about free speech. The great thing about this country is that you can complain about it with out having to worry about people like yourself. Brits always come here and then want to change everything. At least this guy is not another Piers Morgan. He joined the club and now he has a right to say what he wants.

Yes we do have an American way - it is to be a melting pot where we embrace multiculturalism. So people are expected to bring it and share it. Thus St. Patrick's day, Cinco de Mayo, Christmas Trees, Menorah's, the Easter Bunny, Fireworks on the 4th, and religions such as Catholic, Protestant, Judaism, etc.

English is our language because we were primarily settled by England in the Mid-Atlantic states where the population grew the fastest and because England was a world power with whom we traded the most at that time. It worked economically - which is what drives a lot of our decisions in this country, as it should. I guess our citizens can decide to change that at any time. Maybe adapting Chinese will make sense in another decade. Saying it cannot change is like saying we don't need the internet because the American way is the US Postal Service.

We do need immigrants today as much as ever. In the US we are falling way behind in our education system because we are spending way too much on our elderly. We need new young people that are willing to work hard and bring added value to our workforce, industries, and culture. This country is about competition. Let some new immigrants in to raise the bar for our citizen children on the definition of hard work and excelling at math and science necessary to create the new break through products that will drive the economy and standard of living for the next generation.

And in case you are wondering I am a small Government, Fiscal Conservative, voter who is a strong defender of our constitution. I just chose to defend the entire constitution and appreciate that this involves trade offs instead of just trying to defend selective and convenient parts for a selected few.

Since YOUR elected "president" has more than shown that he ain't [sic] about America, Americans, our values, our history... and CERTAINLY not about our FREEDOM, perhaps YOU should emigrate to a Third-World little nirvana of your very own? Would you please take your little dictator with you?

Did you know that one of the things that naturalized citizens must demonstrate before they become citizens is knowledge of the country? I'll bet not one of them is ignorant enough to think that crossing the Rio Grande is necessary to enter Arizona from Mexico.

The Court has had no need to rule on birthright citizenship for persons born in the U.S. It is clearly spelled out in the Constitution.

If an natural born citizen robs a bank then has a baby, the felon is separated from their children.

Millions of US citizen children are keep away from their criminal Parent by the States & Federal government--why shouldn't illegals who parented a citizen be deported, /forever, the children are more then welcome to visit their folks on the FAMILY'S dime.....or stay in the homeland with their felonious folks till their majority.

Seriously? I have a pretty good feeling that the majority of the 6 billion people on the planet would jump at chance to become US citizens. Otherwise we would actually be shrinking, not growing like we are. Immigrants still flooding in.

If the Europeans are so much smarter and productive, than why has Europe stagnated so much? And perhaps you missed the front page WSJ story about how Europeans who are unemployed lack the tech skills to be competitive.

You also forget to give credit to the South Asians who have played a huge role in the success of Silicon Valley - if you could've looked past your own obsession with getting supposedly superior immigrants with white skin, you might have at least given them some credit for having created so much value and jobs.

And I'm sure the rest of the immigrants coming here would love to hear firsthand how they're the dregs of wherever they're coming from, as opposed to the white-skinned cream of the crop that you imagine must be out there - you should tell that to them face to face.

Our firm hires, in large part, Asian and South American immigrants (typically from Brazil, Argentina and Chile). They tend to be incredibly well-educated and productive. It has also given us flexibility in working with international clients.

Is not the recent court decision proof Snowden could have done this through normal channels? Did he even hire a lawyer?

And what the government is doing, data mining, is so innocuous. If you write you're going to blank the you know who in an e-mail, of course it's going to set off some alarm somewhere. Good. I thought we'd been doing that all along actually.

It is a fact that there are more people in this country of German ancestry than there are of English (or British Isles, if you will) ancestry. We speak English because the original 13 colonies were British colonies at the time of the American Revolution, and that is the source of our cultural and political institutions.

We in fact do NOT embrace multiculturalism, which is at odds with the melting pot. Multiculturalism is the way of the French Canadians, and of the Balkans.

We indeed do need immigrants, but we need legal immigrants that are willing to abide by our laws and understand and respect our traditions; renew them and enrich them.

The only way it will make sense to adopt Chinese as the official language is if they demand it in order to forgive the debt that we cannot pay them due to the policies of the current elites.

Haha, yeah whatever - you're from ignorant duck country, where people still believe in fairy tales of magic apples and snakes and forbidden fruit, yet you claim to be treated like a "slave" from this administration? Really... how so? What's changed in your life from previous administrations? You're probably living somewhere inland and uncultured, and can't afford to live in the greatest city in the world and get better perspectives, hence your sour grapes attitude.

Get real. Tell me some real things about how Obama has personally wrecked your life, otherwise you just have something personal against him. I can be someone who can hate Obama very easily, but even before Obama the government has already been taking close to half my income (and half of seven digits is a large number). But then, after visiting lots of other countries, I only became more convinced that we live in the best country on the planet, and that hey, half of seven digits still leaves plenty for me, and I've actually gotten even wealthier under Obama (and I don't work for the government).

So if you really think America's going down the toilet, where else is better? Seriously - give me some countries that are doing it right - there aren't any others. I've lived in Europe, I've lived in Asia, and traveled plenty all over the world, so I'm grateful to have had that perspective. Not sure you've ever left duck country.

After all, the smartest thing for any ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT to do right now would be just to hunker down. After all... AMERICAN CITIZENS are treated as SLAVES by this "administration." WE, The People will just pick up any and all costs associated with the "Dreams of Obama's Daddy." Right? Come on, David. Let's hear YOUR thoughts.

Get lost. Or better yet, please build a little wooden raft and push off from our shores -- in ANY direction -- and THEN get lost. I'll even pitch in for the cost of ONE oar so your arms won't get tired from paddling. (You'll have to ask Obama to bilk the American People for the cost of the other one.) Fair is FAIR, after all.

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